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Yes, there was a certain amount of pandemonium at the start of the Kurilpa Poets’ Grand Opening of their spiritual home, the newly renovated Croquet Club in sacred Musgrave Park.

The fridge and the urn had disappeared, as had the kitchen staff. There were clearly not enough chairs and the Mystery Musician

had mysteriously vanished.

But things soon settled down into their usual cheerful chaos;

Shane had the Virtual Gallery up and running with a Tribute to the Art of the Angry Penguins.

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The Blind Dog was found and led to the stage. Armed with only an ancient battered acoustic guitar, with a hole hacked out of the back, and an upended water jug for occasional percussion, Donnie took us back to the heart of the blues. Meanwhile the Reverend (cheerfully blue bearded for the occasion) gathered the scattered poets for the Open Mic and the kitchen volunteers (Linda and John) performed their usual miracles.

After the first Open Mic session & afternoon tea, Feature Poet Cam Logan delivered a powerful and impassioned set which completely won the audience over.

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Indeed, come the end of his set, an encore was unanimously and noisily demanded by the audience. I can’t actually recall anyone else getting an encore before so well done Cam!

It would take a brave poet to go on after that reception, but undeterred the Loaded Dog quietly took centre stage next, to deliver his own High-caliber performance. Greg (the Loaded Dog) Secombe‘s poems are both unashamedly “political” yet at the same time intensely personal. This, at times almost biblical intensity, can disturb people (this is after all, the Age of Not-Caring) but the Dog knows that one of a Poet’s duties is to speak out and call down the False Idols in Power.

The Loaded Dog bites!

There were more fine words and music after that,

as my afternoon slid into a good natured blur.

A Diversity of Voices passed thru the Open Mic; Newcomer Jim Lamb brought a taste of the bush to our inner-urban enclave. Michael Vaughan delivered a string of perfectly polished poem-ettes like pearls. Haviere read us poems in Spanish that sounded like water running over pebbles. Jefferson Evans effervesced.

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Theresa and John and guitarist friend Alex jammed with Donnie.

The Women “revolted” and took over the Open Mic.

Sue Fihelly, Fiona Privitera and new comer

Penny Hayes all read with presence and style.

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New Members signed up and Old Members renewed whilst John dutifully washed many dishes & cups in the kitchen thruout the afternoon. We made enough money to cover the rent and everyone agreed they had a great day.

I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

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There are more photos which I’ll hopefully put up later, here’s a few more in the meantime..

Yes it’s another big event on the last Sunday of the month as the Kurilpa Poets gather beneath the shade of the trees of Musgrave Park.

First up is the KICI/Kurilpa Poets Annual General Meeting at 1pm. Please note that only registered members of KICI are entitled to vote at the AGM, though active supporters of the group are welcome to attend.

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Business out of the way, we ‘ll be heading out doors this month to enjoy the “cheap showiness of nature” with a Poets Picnic on the lawn of the old Croquet Club, starting at 2pm.

All welcome! Bring a poem and a plate!

There’ll be an extended Open-Air Open Mic, and as usual the air will be filled with the sweet sounds of our Mystery Musician of the Month!

Feature Poet for June is the quietly extraordinary Loc Tranof the League of Extraordinary Poets.

Local Councillor Helen Abrahams has graciously loaned us a Marquee for the occasion and we thank her for her support.

Cucumber sandwiches & pikelets will be provided courtesy of “Edge of the Plate” catering.

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As if all this is not enough, for those who want to shelter indoors, at3pm we’ll bescreening Rob Epstein’s 2010 film “HOWL”. Howl isa “non-linear”, arthouse style exploration of Allen Ginsberg’s epic screed of the same name. Described as an

“exhilerating tribute from one Artform (cinema) to another (poetry)“,

Howl is partly animated, using the work of illustrator Eric Drooker and partly re-enacted history shot in a documentry style, with montage sequences dispersed throughout.

So, you get Poetry, a Picnic and a film for a mere $5 at the gate

($2 for Kurilpa members & the poor),

Talk about value for money!

But of course we ask the community minded to contribute to the feast by bringing a plate or a bottle of something.

And yes there is off-road parking.

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So come on down Sunday 30th and join the fun.

Don’t worry if it rains! We’ll just set up the Marquee inside and Picnic on the Carpet.